Third times a charm

How can anyone not love Venice? This is our third time in Venice and we're sure we are going to love it.

We woke up early this morning and after breakfast, we disembarked the ship and took a taxi to the train station. We got to the station within 15-minutes, bought tickets for the train going from Trieste to Venice, Santa Lucia station and enjoyed a relaxing 2-hour ride.

We departed the train in Venice, bought 5-day vaporetto passes (water bus) and in another 15-min we boarded the vaporetto and sailed to its third stop. We then walked a short distance to our hotel (Al Ponte Mocenigo) from the grand canal. 

The grand canal.

This is our third trip to Venice. A few years ago, we stayed here with Mike and Carla, who've stayed here four times previously. As well, Ric & Vicki Green (who had to cancel) and their family have stayed here as well.

Nice large, well-appointed room

Our living room

After checking-in, off we went for lunch at a place only a few canals, bridges and narrow passages away to a sandwich shop we'd eaten at before. Soon we found a spot on the benches in a square to enjoy our sandwiches.


Along the way we stopped at a small shop that we had visited on previous trips.  This is a one-man wood worker who makes some very creative objects of art.  We enjoyed talking to him and hearing about the things he has made, and we promised to come back as Karen already has some things in mind to bring home with her.  

Karen's veggie Italian sandwich.

Since school had just got out, a number of boys were playing soccer while stone artist repaired the loosened stone bricks caused by years of young kids using the side of the church to kick their ball against.

See if you can see the ball in the air!

After eating our sandwiches, we stopped for gelato, and we were not disappointed. It was as advertised - really good. They even had vegan gelato for Karen. Sorry, no picture. We don't want anyone to be too jealous - but we wish you were here with us.

Charming walk back to our hotel to unpack.

For those of you interested in the continuing bridge competition - we played again this afternoon and once again, Bill and Karen beat Mike and Carla.  Mike and Carla had one more excellent hand and tried to make a comeback, but it was time to quit so you will have to see how it turns out the next time we play.  

Tonight, we ate dinner at a favorite - La Zucca.  This is a restaurant that we enjoyed many years ago when we were here and we wanted to come back.  We were not disappointed.  The food was fantastic!  The menu was all in Italian and the food was authentic.  We needed some translation but finally ordered some great dishes.  Bill loved his tagliatelle pasta with gorgonzola cheese and pears and Karen had tagliatelle pasta with black cabbage pesto and almonds.  Yum.  

Outside of La Zucca
Great appetizers and wine
Great food

Looking across the grand canal after dinner


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